Churchill Downs
On Fire Baby takes it slow
Barbara D. Livingston On Fire Baby, winning the Grade 1 La Troienne last month, will look to make it two graded stakes wins in a row in the Fleur de Lis.
On Fire Baby has not breezed since finishing a disappointing fifth as the favorite in the June 14 Fleur de Lis, and trainer Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage said he is “just taking my time” with his stable star.
“She’s out here cruising around every day, just kind of taking it easy,” said Hartlage, who will remain based at Churchill through the fall. “We have nothing planned for her. Whenever she starts looking to jump over the rail, that’s when we’ll start thinking about her next race.”
On Fire Baby, bred and owned by Anita Cauley, is a two-time Grade 1 winner with earnings of almost $1.1 million.